Re: [ranchos] Cultural Identity

[Alicia Carrillo <alliecar@...>]

Carol, Emilie, Margie and Linda,

 

Yes, each one of us has our own unique story and just like each of us there are millions of immigrant's stories out there just waiting to be told and to be heard. I think that rather than feeling guilt about what we should have done and said, we should make peace with ourselves and with our ancestors. We are doing right by making contact with our ancestors via our family research.

 

In my very distorted brain I have a dream that someday I will write a book for my family regarding my research into Nochistlan and Tlachichila Zacatecas. If all goes well we will go to Nochistlan again this year for the feast of the patron saint of Tlachichila, the feast of San Agustin on Sept 28. I will take my laptop and if possible a scanner to scan family photos and records. I also plan on searching for maps, old or new of the region and bringing them back, searching for reference and history books and taking photos of the present day ranchos. Sooooo much to do and so little time and money!

 

Gotta go.......lots to be done................Alicia Avelar Olmos de Carrillo...San Jose, Ca

 

In one year I believe that I have gathered a considerable amount of data to share with families still residing in those towns. Maybe by sharing my data it will jog some memories of the local people and of those returning to the fiestas.

Carol Turner <cmuroturner@...> wrote:

> My story - I always wondered why do I live in Kansas? 
> Growing up in the late 60's and early 70's wasn't easy
> at times.  My paternal grandparents were here by 1916
> and my maternal in the early 1920's in the state of
> KS.  In doing my research and going back in time, I
> found many stories that touched my
>  heart of what my
> grandparents had sacrificed, suffered and what their
> lives were like when they first got here...it wasn't
> easy.  My parents were told they couldn't speak
> Spanish in school and that we need to try to "fit in"
> with the others.  I went from Mexican to being a
> Chicana to being Mexican American or Hispanic is what
> they call us now.  We lived on the Westside Community
> until I was 4 and then moved to Rosedale in KS which
> at that time was predominately Anglo.  They sent me to
> St. Agnes and I grew up in this community and
> basically still in this community.  Things change over
> the years, St. Agnes is now 35% Hispanic and the
> numbers are going up.  We have more Hispanic
> celebrations now in in the City because of the growth
> of the Hispanic population.  
>
> Being married to an Anglo, I felt the need in my 30's
> and 40's to embrace my culture which lead me to
> research our family history,
>  volunteer my time at the
> Hispanic Heritage booth at the Fiestas, support our
> Hispanic veterans here in KC among many other meetings
> or groups I have some involvement in.  However I would
> have to say doing our research has brought me to
> embracing our culture because we our embracing our
> ancestors and their stories.  Well I guess I need to
> journal more so someone can read these stories of how
> I feel...I doubt my kids will save my emails. - Carol
> Muro Turner